Background and Achievements of Justice Ranade

Justice Ranade has been referred to as the father of Indian economics due to his efforts to convince the British government to initiate modernisation and social programs for the state. The person was a founding participant in the Prarthana Samaj (Prayer Society), which sought to change the social rules of Hinduism.

Mahadev Govind Ranade made his speech at the Indian Social Conference in Lucknow in 1900. His knowledge of Indian history showed that he was cautious about the potential dangers associated with telling a single tale. In addition to being a renowned scholar, MG Ranade was also an eminent judge.

The Early Life of Mahadev Govind Ranade

Mahadev Govind Ranade was born on January 18th 1842, in Niphad Taluka in Nashik. He spent most of his youth in Kolhapur city, where his family was. His father served as a pastor. At 14, he began the course at Elphinstone College, Bombay. The college was a part of Mumbai University, and Mahadev Govind Ranade earned the degree of BA in 1862. The renowned academic and reformist RG Bhandarkar was his classmate.

Justice Ranade was a famous Indian nationalist scholar, social reformer, and jurist. Ranade fiercely opposed the superstition and evils of society and actively participated in the efforts for social improvement. He was heavily influenced by social reform groups like Prarthana Samaj, Arya Samaj, and Brahm Samaj. He was among the first founders of the Deccan Educational Society and a founding member of the Indian National Congress.

During his lifetime, he held numerous significant and prestigious positions, such as being a participant in the Bombay Legislative Council, a member of the Finance Committee of the Central Government, and a judge in the Bombay High Court. He also played a role in establishing several public organisations. Most notable were speech-based gatherings, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, and Prathana Samaj. He also wrote an Anglo-Marathi paper Induprakash.

Career Background and Achievements of Justice Ranade

Mahadev Govind Ranade was chosen for the post of Presidency Magistrate in the year 1871. He became one of the four Bombay Small Cage Court judges and the first-class co-judge in Poona from 1873.

He was also the chief judge for the Poona’ Small Cage Court from 1884 and an official judge at the Bombay High Court in 1893. He was a member of the Bombay Legislative Council from 1885 until he was appointed a Judge of the Bombay High Court.

In 1897, Ranade was appointed an official on the committee for finance. The British government granted him the ‘Companion Of The Order of India’ to recognise his work. He was also a special judge in the Deccan Agriculturalists Act.

Mahadev Govind Ranade favoured creating “the “Indian National Congress.” He was also a part of its inaugural Mumbai session of 1885. He was credited with organising meetings for social purposes and political conventions. However, there was an expansive reform movement that was good for the entire development of an individual. He suggested that it can be achieved only through creative work. He was an ardent supporter of Swadeshi and emphasised using products made by indigenous people. The unity of the nation was a top priority for him. He said, “Every Indian should understand India.”

Along with his colleagues Vaman Abaji Modak, Bal Mangesh Wagle and Atmaram Pandurang, Ranade created Prarthana-Samaj. It was a Hindu movement that the Brahm Samaj inspired. It was founded on the fundamentals of theism published, which was based on the Vedas of the past.

The state of Maharashtra founded Prarthana Samaj through Keshav Chandra, a fervent Brahmo Samaj. The initial goal was to cause changes in the religion of Maharashtra. Ranade became the founding father and leader of the Social Conference movement, which was his main support until his death.

He opposed social reforms, such as child marriage, the shaving of enormous economic costs on weddings’ pomp, caste-based restrictions on sea-going travel, and others. He also stressed widow remarriage and women’s education.

Conclusion

Justice Ranade holds an important place in the development of economic thinking. Ranade advocated studying economic problems within the national context to make economics more realistic and valuable. He was an economist at the national level. Sir J.C. Coyajee has characterised his work as an economic relativist. Prof. D.G. Karve said, ” he was among the economists to suggest planning.” A lot of the ideas offered by Ranade were implemented.